Does weight stigma reduce working memory? Evidence of stereotype threat susceptibility in adults with obesity
Does weight stigma reduce working memory? Evidence of stereotype threat susceptibility in adults with obesity
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DOI：
10.1038/s41366-018-0121-2
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发表时间：
2018-08-01
影响因子：
4.9
通讯作者：
Tomasetto, Carlo
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Guardabassi, Veronica;Tomasetto, Carlo
肥胖是一种高度污名化的疾病，认知功能下降是肥胖个体的典型特征。在本研究中，我们验证了刻板印象威胁（即，在评估刻板印象相关能力时，由于害怕确认消极的自我相关刻板印象而导致的工作记忆资源耗竭）导致肥胖个体认知缺陷的假设。方法对社区131名成年人进行(a)工作记忆和(b)概率学习（一种与工作记忆无关的能力）的计算机测试。通过改变所谓的任务性质来操纵刻板印象威胁；这些任务被标记为智力测试（高刻板印象威胁条件）、记忆和学习测试（标准指令条件）或分散注意力游戏（低刻板印象威胁条件）。结果在高刻板印象威胁条件下（95% ci = -0.872, -0.175, p = 0.003）和标准指令条件下（95% ci = -0.974, -0.153, p = 0.007），身体质量指数（BMI）与工作记忆呈负相关，而在低刻板印象威胁条件下（95% ci = -0.266, 0.430, p = 0.643）， BMI与工作记忆呈负相关。对概率学习没有影响。结论刻板印象威胁与肥胖个体的工作记忆受损有关。对研究人员和临床医生的影响进行了讨论。
Background Obesity is a highly stigmatizing condition, and reduced cognitive functioning is a stereotypical trait ascribed to individuals with obesity. In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that stereotype threat (i.e., a depletion of working memory resources due to the fear of confirming a negative self-relevant stereotype when a stereotype-related ability is assessed) contributes to cognitive deficits in individuals with obesity.Methods Computerized tests of (a) working memory and (b) probabilistic learning-an ability unrelated with working memory-were administered to a community sample of 131 adults. Stereotype threat was manipulated by altering the alleged nature of the tasks; the tasks were alternatively labeled as intelligence tests (high stereotype threat condition), memory and learning tests (standard instructions condition), or distraction games (low stereotype threat condition).Results A negative relation between body mass index (BMI) and working memory emerged in both the high stereotype threat (95% CIs = -0.872, -0.175, p = 0.003) and the standard instructions conditions (95% CIs = -0.974, -0.153, p = 0.007), but not in the low stereotype threat condition (95% CIs = -0.266, 0.430, p = 0.643). No effect emerged on probabilistic learning.Conclusion Stereotype threat is associated with impaired working memory of individuals with obesity. Implications for researchers and clinicians are discussed.